Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes are one of my favorites. Muskmelon, incorrectly referred to as cantaloupe, is one the five most frequently purchased fruits in the U.S. A true cantaloupe is a completely different melon native to France, named for Cantalupo, a former papal villa near Rome. Although no true cantaloupe is currently grown in the United States, the muskmelon was introduced to America in the colonial era. It is now grown and marketed under the name cantaloupe.

Nutritional Highlights:

One pound of cantaloupe is only 150 calories, and contains excellent levels of carotenes, and potassium.

A single cup of cantaloupe fulfills an individuals daily value of vitamin B6, and 90 percent of the daily value of vitamin C.

Cantaloupe is also rich in dietary fiber, folic acid, pantothenic acid and vitamins B3, and B5.

Health Benefits:

Cantaloupe consists the compound adenosine, which is currently used to treat people with heart disease as a way to thin blood and relieve angina attacks.

Because of its high levels of vitamins and nutrients, cantaloupe contributes to an overall feeling of well being and health.

Best in the summer time, cantaloupe makes a perfect warm weather snack. Consider serving it with lime juice and sorbet, yogurt or cottage cheese. Cantaloupe is also a great addition to any fruit salad recipe. For more facts about the nutritional properties and benefits of cantaloupe and other foods, you can purchase a copy of the The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods here.

Encyclopedia of Healing Foods

Welcome

On the Dr Oz show

On the show I discussed the failure of conventional medicine to address the underlying issues in many health conditions offering little more than drugs as biochemical “band aids.”

December is Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month

In seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is associated with winter depression Typically, these individuals not only feel depressed they also feel tried, slow down, and generally oversleep, overeat, and crave carbohydrates in the winter. In the summer, these same patients feel very good and maybe even are elated, active, and energetic.

Although many variables may be responsible for SAD, insufficient light exposure is the most logical explanation. Many mammals exhibit seasonal variations in activity level, sleep patterns, and appetite and are extremely sensitive to changes in day length. The antidepressant effects of full-spectrum light therapy have been demonstrated in well-monitored, controlled studies in SAD. The antidepressant effect of light therapy is probably due to the restoration of proper melatonin synthesis and secretion by the pineal gland, leading to reestablishment of the proper circadian rhythm. Full-spectrum white light (10,000 lux) is prescribed for at least 30 minutes every day in the morning. Or, better yet, use full-spectrum lighting throughout the indoor environment.

The key hormonal change caused by exposure to full spectrum lighting may be a reduced secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland and an increased secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Melatonin supplementation is thought to improve SAD because it increases brain melatonin levels, but it may also suppress cortisol secretion.Take 3-5 mg 45 minutes before retiring.

Vitamin D is also an important consideration. Many experts recommend a dosage of 2,000 to 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, especially during the winter months.

Mind Your Ps and Qs

PQQ may be the perfect answer to preventing or reversing age-related mental decline.

kiwiPQQ (short for pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a vitamin-like compound found in plant foods that shows a wide range of benefits for brain function and energy production. Learn more about PQQ with the following Q&A.
What Exactly Does PQQ Do?

PQQ is an extremely potent antioxidant that is able to carry out the role of an antioxidant in the body more than 20,000 times—which is a rare thing. For example, other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, are only able to accomplish this “cycling” process about four times.
Are There Any Food Sources of PQQ?

PQQ has been found in all plant foods analyzed to date. Particularly PPQ-rich foods include parsley, green peppers, kiwi, papaya, and tofu. These foods contain 2–3 mcg of PQQ per 100 grams. Green tea provides about the same amount per 4-oz. serving. While these amounts appear to be sufficient in helping our cells carry out their basic functions, research indicates that boosting PQQ through supplementation can produce some amazing effects.